Garden Design part 2

So, last month

• We sketched the bare-bones of the garden, including features you can’t change and features you want to keep.

• We worked out which direction the garden faces, which areas are more shaded and which are in full sun. We know roughly what time the sun completely leaves the plot at various times of year and which parts of the garden are battered by stormy weather.

• We know what type of soil we have in different areas.

Now we decide what features we want in the garden, and based on the information we already have, decide where to put them.

There’s nothing I like better than sitting in the garden with a mug of coffee, watching nature. So I’m going to want somewhere to sit. I also enjoy sharing my garden with friends, and having them over for an al-fresco meal or just to relax. As this is Yorkshire, it can get a bit chilly in the evenings, so a fire-pit would make a nice addition to any relaxation space.

As well as growing things that look pretty, I like plants to have a purpose, and I like to grow things I can eat, so somewhere to grow fruits and vegetables is definitely something I want to incorporate. Again, as it’s Yorkshire, having a covered growing area like a greenhouse, poly-tunnel or cold-frame would allow me to extend the growing season by providing the plants with shelter from the elements.

Nature and wildlife-watching is a lovely way to pass the time, and I want to encourage nature into my garden. A good way to do that is by incorporating a wildlife pond, so that’s another feature I will include.

While an aerial view of the plot might look like this:

If I could cut through the landscape and provide a side-on view, it would be more like this:

As a large part of my garden has quite a steep slope, turning it into a series of flatter tiers would make it easier to manage, so that will be one of my first jobs. These will be created by moving soil from one place to another, and using stones or sleepers to retain it in it’s new position.

With my tiers in place, I can decide where I want the different features of my garden. I can divide the garden into different zones, each with a different purpose.

Due to the slope of the western side, there is a natural low point in the south-west corner of the garden, which could be turned into a pond area with minimal effort, as the ground is naturally wetter there. That makes the south-west corner ideal as a mini nature-reserve, complete with wildlife pond, rustic seating area and fire-pit. I want my garden to be functional and useful, so the majority of the space is going to be used for growing food. However, I do like to have a bit of a wow-factor, something to make my guests smile when they arrive, so rather than just walking in to a vegetable plot, I want the entry point to be a bit more decorative, and lead them to the house and entertaining area.

So, the basic plan is set. Join me next time as I add more detail to the entrance and entertaining spaces!